Award

Falling Walls Female Science Talents

The Female Science Talents Intensive Track is a year-long programme supporting 20 outstanding early-career women* in science from all disciplines to take the next step in their careers.

Through skill-enhancement workshops, mentoring, and participation in high-level events in Berlin, participants build an international network, gain visibility for their research, and explore new pathways toward leadership. The programme fosters peer exchange, community building, and active engagement within the wider Female Science Talents and Falling Walls networks.

The call for applications to join the 2026 cohort is now closed.

2026 winners

  • Selin Akpinar Adscheid

    Postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacy, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany

  • Temitope Adeniyi

    PhD researcher, Cleveland State University, United States

  • Tumai Muzorewa

    PhD candidate, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

  • Velma Okaron

    PhD candidate in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, Makerere University, Uganda

  • Assia Aboubakar Mahamat

    Post-doctoral researcher, École Nationale Supérieure des Travaux Publics (ENSTP)

  • Ayse Kose

    Department of Development and Regeneration, Biomedical Sciences Group, KU Leuven

  • Chi Ying Lam

    Director, Southampton Centre for Music Education and Social Justice

  • Cynthia Odili

    PhD candidate,Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)

  • Deborah Braide

    PhD candidate in Materials Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal

  • Dipuo Motshwari

    Senior Scientist, South African Medical Research Council

  • Hawa Camara

    Postdoctoral Cancer Prevention Fellow, National Cancer Institute (NCI)

  • Iris Blom

    Penholder of the Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health, WHO Europe

  • Logaheswari Muniraj

    Postdoctoral Researcher, Heriot-Watt University

  • Maria Nelago Kanyama

    Postdoctoral Research Fellow, the University of the Western Cape

  • Maribel Schonewolff

    Postdoctoral researcher, University of Cologne

  • Nathasia Mudiwa Muwanigwa

    Postdoctoral researcher, UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London

  • Olka Missaghimamaghani

    PhD student in Experimental Medicine, University of British Columbia

  • Resshaya Roobini Murukesu

    Research Fellow, TUMCREATE, Singapore

  • Sawsan Abdul-Jalil

    PhD candidate in Agricultural Economics and Governance, Humboldt University

About the Intensive Track

The Intensive Track programme offers selected participants a wealth of opportunities for personal and professional development:  

  • Visibility and Reach: Benefit from increased visibility via the Falling Walls Community, sharing your work and insights with a global audience. 
    Participate in two high-level Gatherings in Berlin: Join the International Spring Gathering and International Fall Gathering at the Falling Walls Science Summit 2026. All travel costs incl. accommodation will be fully covered for both events.
  • Skill-Enhancement Workshops and Career Talks: Attend regular online sessions on topics like female leadership, entrepreneurship, science communication, pitch training, and more. 
  • Peer Exchange and Mentoring with Fellow Talents: Connect with like-minded, high-potential scientists from various disciplines in a vibrant and diverse learning community. Share skills and insights in interactive sessions and small group discussions. 
  • Exclusive Networking Opportunities: Engage with Female Science Talents role models and women leaders in academia, business, and politics, including representatives from our official partners: Bayer Foundation, Elsevier Foundation, Volkswagen Foundation, and the German Research Foundation.
  • Access to the Falling Walls Community: Expand your network through the Falling Walls Venture, Engage, and Lab communities.

Selection Criteria

We welcome applications from female or gender diverse PhD students in the final stages of their research, as well as from postdoctoral researchers who completed their PhD rather recently. Candidates from all academic disciplines and from universities or research institutions worldwide are welcome to apply. We equally welcome applicants with qualifications equivalent to a PhD or postdoctoral experience — such as medical degrees or other advanced professional scientific training. We are especially seeking candidates who: 

  • Have Solid Communication Skills: Fluency in English, ability to communicate research and career goals to a wider audience, good self-presentation skills.
  • Excel in their Scientific Field: Demonstrate outstanding research, innovative thinking, and a commitment to advancing knowledge in their discipline.
  • Actively Contribute to the Programme and Community:
  • Engage in Peer-to-Peer Learning: Share skills and insights in interactive sessions and small group discussions.
  • Mentor the Next Cohort: Support future participants through mentorship, offering guidance to help them thrive in the cohort of 2027 (up to 6 times per year).
  • Initiate and Engage in Community Events: Organise engaging events like panel discussions or knowledge-sharing sessions that bring added value to the community.
  • Are Proactive and Collaborative: Enthusiastically participate in programme workshops, contribute ideas, and foster a positive and supportive atmosphere for all participants.

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